Hal drove to Snake's hotel his hands gripping tight on the steering wheel. He really needed someone to talk to and help clear his head. He only hoped that Snake wouldn't be pissed off at him. He pulled into the hotel parking lot and got out.
The scientist stood in front of the door to his friend's room. He knocked sharply a couple of times and waited. He could hear shuffling around and the sound for footsteps approaching. The door opened and Snake stood there with a slightly confused look on his face.
"Otacon what are you doing here?" Snake asked. He moved aside so his friend could come in. Hal brushed passed him as entered the room. Snake could tell by the look on his face that something was wrong.
"I hope I'm not intruding Snake," Hal said. Snake shut the door and turned around to face him. Hal sat down in one of the chairs. He wasn't sure who else to turn to. Snake made his way to the foot of the bed and sat down.
"No, Otacon you're not intruding. What brings you here?" Snake asked. It was plain to see that something was going on. Snake pulled out his pack of cigarettes and lit one up. He took a drag and exhaled.
"I did something wrong really wrong," Hal said. He clutched the arms of the chair turning his knuckles white. He regaled Snake with what had happened between him and Emma. He spared his friends the dirty details though, he really didn't need to know everything.
"Wow Otacon, I am not sure what to say." Snake said. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, it's not like you're actually related to Emma or anything so technically it doesn't make it that wrong." Snake assured his friend.
"She's like eleven years younger than me though Snake. She's eighteen, I'm twenty-eight" Hal pointed out. Snake laughed a little and lit up another cigarette. Hal watched as Snake just shook his head.
"Age is only a number. She's old enough to make her own choices." Snake said. He was having a hard time seeing what the problem was. "Do you love her?" Snake asked.
"Of course I love her," Hal said. Emma was his sister after all, well-adopted step-sister anyways. "She's all I have left," he added. Everything was so confusing right now. He put his head in his hands and sighed.
"You're overthinking this. If you love her and she loves you there shouldn't be a problem. She isn't some child anymore, she's a woman capable of making her own decisions and she wants you." Snake said. Otacon just looked at him with a shocked look on his face. Snake watched as Otacon stood up and started pacing the room.
"So you're saying that I should be with her?" Hal asked. Snake stood up placing his hands on Hal's shoulders stopping him. Hal felt about ready to just fall apart. "It would be wrong though Snake so wrong," Hal said.
"Did it feel wrong when you were with her?" Snake asked. Hal took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Snake took a step back. Hal pushed his glasses back up his face.
"No, it didn't," Hal answered simply. He knew that it should have, but it didn't. He also knew he couldn't let this eat away at him. He sat back down in the chair.
"You shouldn't feel guilty about this. Just let yourself be happy for once." Snake said. He didn't like seeing his friend so distressed. He sat back down on the bed. "I think you should go get some flowers and chocolate and apologize for walking out her." Snake said.
"I don't think I face her," Hal said. He had gotten used to running from his problems. He could imagine that Emma would be pretty angry and he would deserve her wrath. "I guess I'm just a coward," he added.
"Damn straight you are, you need to man up." Snake said. He knew it was harsh, but it was true. "Seriously Hal go back to Emma and apologize. The makeup sex will be worth it." Snake told his friend.
Hal knew Snake was right. There was probably going to be a special place in Hell for him, but why should he deny himself something that deep down inside he wanted. "You're right Snake. I'm going to go and get flowers and chocolate as you suggested. Thank you for listening to me freak out over nothing." Hal said.
"Anytime." Snake said. He was glad that he was somehow able to help. Otacon looked a little calmer now. "Good luck," he added. He was sure his friend was going to need it.
Both men stood up and hugged each other goodbye. Snake walked Otacon to the door and watched as his friend left. He knew that Emma would be good for him and vice versa. He shut and locked the door. Now he could get back to cleaning his guns.
Hal felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Both Snake and Emma were right. He was the only one over complicating things. He hoped that Emma would be able to forgive him. He will definitely try to make it up to her. They both wanted the same thing, after all, to be happy and to be a family.
Hal got into his car and started it up. He had a couple of pit stops to make. Chocolate and flowers certainly couldn't hurt. He hoped that Emma would still be awake when he got home. They had so much to talk about. He only wanted Emma to happy and he would do his best to make her happy. They were all each other had after all.
As Hal drove he hoped he stilled remembered what Emma's favorite chocolates were. The flowers easy you could never go wrong with roses. He really was glad he had talked to Snake it really did help a lot.
